Clasp or connector for watch bracelets or the like



' -Nov. 28, 1944' HOLMQUIST 2,363,590

CLASP 0R CONNECTOR FOR WATCH-BRACELETS OR THE LIKE Filed Oct. 23, 1943 2 ShetS-Sheet Men 701':

Nov. 28, 1944. F, E. QLM S 2,363,590

CLASP OR CONNECTOR FOR WATCH-BRACELETS ORTHE LIKE Filed 001;. 23, 1945 Sheets-Sheet 2 tion.

Patented Nov. 28, 1944 UNITED" mm PATENT OFFICE CLASP R CONNECTOR FOR WATCH 1 BRACELETS OR'THE LIKE Frederick E. Hoimquist, Providence, 3.1., assignor to Keatenman Bros. Mfg. 60., Providence, 8. I... a corporation of Rhode Island Application October 2:, 194:; Serial No. 907,415

I I 9 Claims; '(CI. 21-71) This invention relates to improvements in.

buckles, clasps or connectors for watch-bracelets and the like, and more particularly to an adjustable clasp of the extensible type having articulated sections adapted to be folded into overlying nestedmelationship and an extension member slidable into the folded sections to adjust the length of the bracelet to fit the wrist of the a clasp of the type indicated having releasable pawl-and-ratchet means for maintaining the slidable. extension member in adjusted position in the folded overlying sections and separate detentmeans on one .of the, sections engageable with the slidable member as the latter is slid into indicating by dash lines the manner of folding the articulated sections one over another;

Fig. 4- is a bottom plan view of the clasp;

V Fig. 5 is a greatly enlarged top plan view of the clasp representing its cover-member as partly broken away and the members as in folded nested relationship with the extension member adjusted to contract the length of the bracelet chain to fit the wrist of the wearer; Fig. 6 is a transverse-sectional view on line 6-4 of Fig. 5 showing the detent-finger on the position on the clasp;

adjusted position to prevent unfolding of the 1 sections until the pawl is released manually and the extension member withdrawn to extended position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated having detent-means engageable with a longitudinally-extending flange on the slidable extension member for positively latching the sections in folded relationship during'various positions of adjustment of the extension member and adapted to be released automatically from engagement therewith to permit the sections to be unfolded only when the slidable member is withdrawn to extended posi- Another object of the invention is to'provide a on the extension member whenthe sections are folded into overlying relationship with the extension member in contracted position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a clasp of the type indicated which is of relatively simple construction to adapt it for economical manufacture and one which is efficient in performing its intended functions.

Further objects of the inventionare set forth in the following specification which describes two preferred forms of construction of the clasp, by way of example, as illustrated by the accompany-,- in-z drawings. In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view showing the parts of a bracelet chain or linkage havcover-member in engagement with the flange on the extension member for maintaining the parts of the clasp in folded relationship;

Fig. '7 is a transverse-sectional view on line 1-1 of Fig. 5 showing the pawl on the covermember engaged in a ratchet opening of the extension member to retain the Fig.8 is a perspective view of the cover-member shown in inverted position with one of its sides as partly broken away to disclose the pawl and detent-finger; V

Fig. 9 is a perspective view of the bottom or base member in which the extension member is adapted toslide;

Fig. 10 .is a perspective view of the extension member;

Fig. 11 is a perspective view of the intermediate connecting member;

Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a clasp of slightly modified construction'showing its sections as partly unfolded and the extension member in its outermost position;

Fig. 13 is a top plan view of the clasp shownin Fig. 12 with its sections shown as in extended relationship; Fig. 14 is a bottom plan view of the modified form of clasp with its sections in the same position as shown in Fig. 13; e

Fig. 15 is a greatly enlarged top plan view of the modified form of clasp shown with its parts in folded nested relationship and the, extension member as adjusted to contract the length of the bracelet chain to fit the wrist of the wearer;

Fig. 16 is a transverse-sectional view on line 16-46 of Fig. 15 showing the detent-flnger on the cover-member as in engagement with the flange on the extension member;

Fig. 17 is a cross-sectional viewon line l|--l1 of Fig. 15 showing the pawl on the cover-member as engaged with the ratchet-teeth on the extension member to retain the latter in its position of adjustment; and

Fig. 18 is a-perspective view of the covermember for the modified form of clasp shown in inverted position with one side partly broken away to disclose the pawl and detent-fin'ger.

The present improved extensible clasp or fastening device Iis shown in Fig. 1 as applied to latter in adiusted cords.

use with the parts 5 and 4 of a bracelet composed of articulated links but in other cases the clasp may be employed with fabric or leather The clasp may comprise three cooperating extension sections, namely: a base member 5, an intermediate connecting member 6 and a' top member or cover I. The members may be constructed as stampings struck up from sheet-metal stock and'curved to conform to the contour of the wrist of the wearer.

The base member or section 5, see Fig. 9, is of trough-shape, being constituted by a' bottom plate l6 having side walls .Il folded upwardly therefrom with their upper ends bent inwardly to provide lateral flanges l2 which overlie the bottom plate to form opposite guideways l3. One side wall II is slotted to provide an opening i4 and adjacent one end of the member 5 the flanges hereinafter.

[2 are cutaway at l5, as shown inFig. 9, to 1 of the base member 5 its bottom plate I6 is extended in a narrow tab I6 which is used for a purpose explained hereinafter. At the opposite end of the base member 5 the side walls II are apertured with small holes II to receive the ends of a pivot-pin I'I connecting it to the member 6, see Figs. 3 and 4.

The connecting member 6 may consist of a metal strip folded to substantially ribbed or channel-shape throughout the greater portion of its length with its edges flanged outwardly as illustrated in Figs. 2, 6, 'I and 11. The end portions of the strip, however, remain flat to adapt them for connection with the base member 5 and cover-member I, respectively. One end of. the connecting member 6 is curled around to provide a loop I6 for receiving the pivot-pin II at the end of the member 5 and its opposite end is provided with laterally-projecting lugs I9.

The top member or cover I is of chamelshape as constituted by a top plate 26 and side walls 2| and 22 folded downwardly therefrom.

At one end of the cover-member I the top plate 26 extends beyond the side walls 2| and 22 and is curled around to-provide a. loop 23 for connection with the crossbar 4' of the end link of the bracelet-section 4. At the opposite end of the cover-member I the side walls 2| and 22 are apertured with small holes I adapted to receive the lugs I9 of the intermediate member 6 to 'hingedly connect the latter to the cover-member.

Arrangedwithinthe top member or cover I is a sheetmetal spring-element 26 of bifurcated construction. As shown in Figs. 4 and 8, the

spring-element 26 is seated against the inner surface of the top plate 26 of the cover I with one end disposed adjacent the loop 23 thereof. The opposite legs 21 and 28 of the spring-element 26 extend longitudinally of the cover I and normally bear against its side walls 2| and 22, respectively. One side of the spring-element 26 is held against the top plate 26 of the cover I by means of an ear 36 folded inwardly from the side wall 2| with its terminal edge overlying the leg 28, see Figs. 7 and 8. The opening 14 in the member 5 provides clearance for the ear 36 when the parts of the clasp are folded into closed relationship. The opposite side of the spring-element 26 is held in place by a finger-piece 32 projecting laterally from its leg 21 through a slot 33 in the side wall 22 of the cover I as shown in Figs. 4, 5 and 6.

Bent downwardly from the side of the leg 21 of the spring-element 26 is an ear 35 having its terminal portion bent over to serve as a pawl with one straight side and its opposite side rounded or beveled slightly, see Figs. 2, 5 and 8. As shown in Fig. 7 the lower surface of the pawl 35 is beveled or rounded for a purpose to be explained ship with the member 6 positioned between the legs 21 and 26 of the spring-element 26 on the cover as shown in Figs. 6 and I, and to be unfolded to the position shown in Figs. 3 and 4 to extend the length of the clasp.

To provide for further extension in the length of the clasp 2 to adapt the watch-bracelet to be removed over the wrist of the wearer, a slidable.

member 46 is employed. The extension member 46, shown in detail in Fig. 10, is of trough-shape as constituted by a bottom wall 4| and side Walls 42 and 43 folded upwardly therefrom. At one end of the member 46 its bottom wall 4| is extended in an ear which is curled around to form a loop 44 for receiving the crossbar 3 of the end link of the bracelet-section 3. Extending longitudinally from the loop 44 is a relatively long slot or opening 45 in the bottom wall 4|. The marginal edge of the side wall 43 of th member 46 is folded inwardly to provide a longitudinal detent-fiange 48. The side wall 42 of the member 46 is provided with a series of rectangular apertures 49 forming ratchet-teeth 56 therebetween.

The extension member 46 is dimensioned to adapt it to be received within the bottom member 5 with its sidewalls 42 and 43 arranged to slide in the opposite guideways I3 thereof. After the extension member 46 has been assembled in place in the base member 5 the tab [6,

previously described, is bent at right-angles and inserted through the slot 45. The tab l6 thus is adapted to engage the inner end of the slot 45 to limit the outward sliding movement of the extension member 46.

In applying the bracelet to or removing it from the wrist the present improved clasp op erates in the manner as next explained. The bracelet is placed on the wrist by passing it over the hand while the several sections 5, 6, I

and 46 of the clasp 2 are in extended relation-. ship as illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Thereafter, the parts 5 and 6 are folded intooverlying relationship in the manner indicated by dash lines in Fig. 3 and entered within the cover-member I. It will be noted that the intermediate .member 6 fits within the base member 5 centrally between the side walls ll thereof while the base member itself fits within the cover-member I between the latters side walls 2| and 22 as clearly shown in Figs. 5, 6 and 7.

During the folding of the articulated sections into nested relationship the extension member 46 is usually withdrawn to its outermost position with the inner end of its slot 45 engaged with the tab I6 of the base member 5 to prevent its complete withdrawal therefrom. After the clasp has been folded to closed position on the wrist the extension member 46 is pushed into the base member 5vwith its side walls 42 and 43 sliding The opposite leg 28 of the spring element 28 and depending therefrom, will ride along the side wall 42 of the extension member and, due to the inherent resiliency of the leg 21,

a m the opposite guideways I8 thereof. As the extension member 48 is slid into the base mem-' ber the pawl 85, formed as part of the springwill engage successively with the ratchet-teeth 58 between the openings 49. The extension tion of adjustment. In other words, the edge of the pawl 95 will engage one of the ratchet-teeth- 88 between the openings 49 to prevent withdrawal of the extension member48 from the base member 5. During the sliding movement of the extensio member 48 into the base member 5 the inner end of its longitudinally-extending detent-flange 48 will be carried into position to be engaged by the laterally-extending hook-like detent-flnger 31 on the cover 1 as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. In this manner the extension member 48 and base member 5 in which it is mounted will be securely locked in folded relation with the cover member 1 and the-articulated sections thus prevented from unfolding. The present improved construction of the detent-means thus provides. for

greater security to guard against accidental unclasping and unfolding of the sections of the clasp which would result in loss of the bracele from the wrist of the wearer. V

To open the clasp 2 to remove the bracelet from the wrist the finger-piece 32 is pressed inwardly to flex the leg 21 of the spring-element 28 whereby to release the pawl 85 from engagement in the ratchet opening 49. Withthe pawl thus disengaged, the extension member 48 may be withdrawn from the base member 5 to. its extended position shown in Figs. 2, 3 and 4. As the member 48 approaches its outermost position the inner end of its longitudinal flange or ledge 48 will ride out from under the detenthook 31 on the cover-member 1 to unlatch the several sections of the clasp. With the inner end of the flange or ledge 48 spaced from the detent-hook 31 the base member 5 and intermediate member 8 may be withdrawn from the cover-member 1 and unfolded to extended relaover the hand of the wearer.

Figs. 12 to 18 of the drawings illustrate a modifled form of clasp 88 embodying the improvements of the present invention. The clasp 88 .is of a type similar to that of the clasp 2 disclosed in Figs. l'to 11, inclusive, being comprised of three hinged sections, namely, a base member 85, an intermediate member 88 and a cover-member 81. To provide for maximum expansion in the length of the bracelet to which the clasp is applied, a slidable extension member 88 is also employed.

The base member 85 is of trough-shape comment of the member 88 in a manner to be explained hereinafter. At the end of the base member opposite to that'for recei' g the. ex-

tension member 88 the side walls H, are provided with holes 1If. for engaging lateral hinge-lugs- 18 atone end of the intermediate member to pivotally connect the two-members together.

In the modified construction of the clasp 88 the intermediate member 88 takes the form of a curved sheet-metal plate provided at one end with the lugs 18 and at its opposite end with similar lugs 11. Adjacent the end having the lugs 11 the. plate-like member 88 is provided with a pair of clearanceopenings 18 and 18 designed for a purpose explained hereinafter.

The cover-member 81, shown in detail in Fig.

' 18, is of inverted trough-shape comprising a top wall 8! and side walls 82 and 83 folded downwardly with their terminal portions [bent in wardly at 84, see also Figs. 16 and 17. At one end of the cover-member 81 its side walls 82 and 88 are perforated with holes 82' and 88 to receive the hinge-lugs 11 of the intermediate member 88 and at its opposite end its top wall 8| is extended in an ear "which is looped around the cross-bar of the end link of the bracelet-section 4. A spring-element 81, similar to the element 28 previously described, is mounted in the cover-member 81. As shown in Figs. 14 and 18, the spring-element 81 is of bifurcated construction to provide opposite legs-.88 and 89. The

' spring-element 81 isheld seated against the top tionship to permit the bracelet to be removed prising a bottom plate 18 and side walls 1I 18 being indented from the under side to provide an upwardly-directed protuberance or abutment 14 for limiting the outward sliding movewall of the cover-member 81 by means of protuberances 98 struck inwardly from the side walls 82 and 83 and engaging across the edges of the spring-element, see Figs. 13 and 16. The springelement. 81 is held against longitudinal movement in the cover-member 81 by means of a finger-piece 92 projecting laterally from the side of the leg 88 ofthe element through a. slot or aperture 98 in the side wall 82 of the cover-member. Bent downwardly from the end of the leg ,88 of the spring-element 81 is a downwardly- .projecting curved ear 95 constituting a pawl.

Folded downwardly from the leg 89 of the springelement 81 is a tab 98 having its lower end bent laterally to form a detent-flnger 91, see Figs. 16 and 18.

The extension member 88 is of channel-shape as constituted by a top wall 99 with side walls I88 folded downwardly therefrom. The side walls I88 are slidably mounted in the guidew'ays 13- -of the base member as shown in Figs. 16 and 'adapt it to engage with the abutment 14, pre- 1 viously described as projecting upwardly from the bottom plate 18 of the base member. The outer end of the extension'member 88 is provided with a loop I83 for connection with the crossbar of the end link of the bracelet section 3, see Fig. 12. I

Extending throughout approximately the entire'length of the top wall 99 of the extension member 88 is a relatively narrow opening I85. One edge of the opening I85 is serrated to form a series of ratchet-teeth I88 while its opposite. edge constitutes a longitudinal latching flange or ledge I81. The ledge I81 is cut away at the inner end of the member 88 to provide a reentrant opening I89 for a purpose to be explained later. The modified form of clasping device 88 is op-' erated in a manner similar to that of the clasp 2 previously described. The bracelet is applied to the wrist of the wearer by placing it over the hand with the sections of theclasp in their unfolded and extended relationship shown in- Fig, 12. After the bracelet is placed in position ,on

the wrist the parts of the clasp are folded together in the manner indicated by the dash line z in Fig. 12 with the intermediate member 66 and base member 55 entering the cover-member 67 as shown in Figs. 15, 16 andxl'l. After the parts have been folded into overlying, nested relationship the extension member 68 is slid into the base member 65 to contract the length of the bracelet to draw it snugly around the wrist of the wearer. A

The extension member 88 is usually in its outermost position, as shown in Fig.12, during the folding of the sections into closed relationship and with the extension member in this position the hook-like detent-flange 91 on the cover-member will enter its reentrant opening I09 and the pawl 95 will be located in the opening I05 in its top wall- 99. It will be observed by reference to Figs. 16 and 1'7 that the detentflange 91 and pawl 95 will project downwardly through the clearance openings 18 and 19 in the intermediate connecting member. As the extension member 68 is slid into the bottom memclasp are folded together with the extension member 58 partially or wholly contracted within the base member, the flange and pawl will be cammed inwardly by the edges of the opening I05 and thereafter caused to spring outwardly, due to the inherent resilience of the legs 88 and 89 of the element 81, to properly engage the ledge Ill! and ratchet-teeth I05, respectively.

When it is desired to remove the bracelet from the wrist the finger-piece 92 is depressed to cause the pawl 95 to be released from the ratchet-teeth I08, whereupon the extension member 58 may be slid outwardly of the bottom member 65. The outward sliding movement of the extension member 58 will be limited by the engagement of its ear "H with the abutment H on the bottom member 65. As the extension member 68 approaches its outermost position the reentrant opening l99 will be brought into alinement with the detent-finger 9! so that the latter may be drawn upwardly therethrough to permit the members of the clasp to be unfolded. With the sections of the clasp unfolded into extended relationshipas shown in Figs. 12, 13 and 14 the ,total length of the bracelet will be materially increased to adapt it to be withdrawn over the hand of the wearer.

It will be observed from the foregoing speciflcation that the present invention provides an extensible clasp for Wrist-Watch bracelets and the like having a *novel form of interlocking detents for holding the articulated sections in nested relationship. It will be observed further that the improved detent-mea'ns provides for securelyholding the sections of the clasp in folded relaaeeaseo tionchip when the slidable extension member is telescoped within the bottom member to'adjust the bracelet around the wrist of the wearer. As a further feature of improvement, separate means are provided .for holding the extension member in its position of adjustment and for latching the several sections in folded relationship, with the last-named latching means adapted to be released automatically when the extension member is withdrawn to expand the length of th bracelet. Moreover, the present improved resilient detent-hook is adapted to snap over the edge of the detent-flange or ledge on the extension member to securely lock the sections of the clasp in closed relationship when the parts are folded together with the extensionmember in contracted position. It will be observed still further that the present inventionprovides a clasp of simple'and compact construction adapted for economical manufacture and one which may be easily and conveniently adjusted to lit the wrist of the wearer.

While the present improved device is herein illustrated and described in two preferred terms of construction, it is to be understood that further modifications may be made in the structure and arrangement'of the parts of the clasp without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Therefore, .without limiting myself in this respect, I claim:

1. A clasp or connector rorwrist-watch bracelets or the like comprising a plurality of articu lated sections foldable into overlying nested re- 1 lationship, an extension member slidable inone of said sections, cooperating ratchet-means on 40 permit the extension member to be withdrawn the extension member and one of said foldable sections for holding the extension member in diiferent positions of adjustment in the clasp, said ratchet-means being releasable manually to from the clasp, a longitudinally-extending latching ledge on the extension member, and aresilient finger on one of the foldable sections formed with a hook engageable with the ledge on the extension member when the latter is slid into the clasp to lock the foldable sections thereof in overlying nested relationship.

2. A clasp or connector for wrist-watch brace.

' lets comprising a base member, an intermediate member and a cover-member, said members being pivotally connected to adapt them to be folded into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base member and formed with ratchet-teeth and a longitudinallyextending ledge, a resilient element carried by the cover-member and provided with a pawl engageable with the ratchet-teeth on the extension member to retain it in diflerent positions of adjustment in the base member, and latching means on the resilient element engageable with the ledge on the extension member for lockingv the sections of the clasp in folded nested relationship.

3. A clasp of the type indicated comprising a I base member, an intermediate member and a cover-member, said members being pivotally connected to adapt them to befolded into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base member and provided with ratchet-teeth and a longitudinally-extending ledge, a resilient element mounted fast in the cover-member, a pawl on the resilient element engageable with the ratchet-teeth on the extension member for holding the latter in diflerent positions of adjustment in the base member,

aseaseo 4. A clasp of the type indicated comprising a base member, an intermediate member and a cover-member, said members being pivotally connected to adapt them to be folded into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base member, cooperating pawl-andratchet means on the cover-member and exten- 7. A clasp of the type indicated comprising a base member, an intermediate member and a cover-member, said members being hinged together to adapt them to be folded into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base member, ratchet-openings in one side of the extension member and a detent-flange extendinglongitudinally of the opposite side of the extension member, a resilientelement on the cover -member, said resilient element being bifurcated to provide opposite legs, one leg of said resilient element formed with a pawl engageable sion member for holding the latter in diflerent' positions of adjustment in the base member, and means for latching the .foldable members in overlying nested relationship comprising a longitudinally-extending ledge on the extension member and a resilient hook-like finger on the cover- I member engageable with the ledge on the extension member when the latter is telescoped within the base member, and manually-operable means for releasing the pawl-and-ratchet means.

'5. A clasp of the type indicated comprising a base member, an intermediate member and, a cover member, said members being pivotally connected to adapt them to be folded into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base member, ratchet-teeth on the extension member, a longitudinally-extending with the ratchet-openings of the extension. member for holding the latter in different positions of adjustment within the base member and the opposite leg of the resilient element having detent-means engageable with the detent-flange of the extension member to latch the members of the clasp in folded relationship, said pawl and detent-means straddling the sides of the intermediate member when the members are in folded relationship, and means for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-teeth on the extension member to permit the latter to be withdrawn from the base member.

8. A clasp of the type indicated comprising a base member, an intermediate member and a cover-member. said members being pivotally connected to adapt them to be folded into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base member, said extension member comprising a top portion and depending side walls with a longitudinal opening in its top portion, a series of ratchet-teeth at one edge oi said member engageable with the ratchet-teeth to s a latching finger on its opposite leg formed with a hooked finger for engaging the ledge on the extension member to latch the members in folded relationship, and a finger-piece on the resilient member operable to disengage the pawl from the ratchet-teeth to permit the extension member to I r he slid outwardly of the base member whereby to withdraw its ledge from latching engagement with the latching finger and allow the members of the clasp to be unfolded.

6. A clasp of the type indicated comprising a base member, an intermediate member and a cover member, said members being pivotally con- .nected to adapt them to be folded into overlying nestedrelationship, an extension member slidable in the base member, said extension member comprising opposite longitudinal side walls Joined by a bottom wall and having ratchet-openings formed in ,one side wall oi the extension member, a longitudinally-extending detent-flange folded inwardly from the opposite side wall of the expally-operable means for releasing the pawl from the ratchet-teeth to permit the extension member. to be slid outwardly of the base member whereby to release the detent-flange from the detent-ilnger and unclasp the i'oldable members to permit them to be unfolded into extended relationshi opening and the opposite edge of the opening constituting a detent-ledge, a pawl on the cover hold the extension member in different positions of adjustment in the base member, a hook-like detent-flnger on the cover-member adapted to enter the opening in theextension member when the members are folded into overlying relationship to engage the detent-ledge on the extension member and latch the members in nested relationship, and manually-operable means for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet-teeth to permit the extension member to be partly withdrawn from, the base member.

, '9. A clasp of the type indicated comprising a base member, an intermediate member and a cover-member, said members being pivotally connected to adapt them to be folded into overlying nested relationship, an extension member slidable in the base member and formed with ratchet-teeth and a longitudinally-extending latching flange, openings formed in the intermediate member, a pgwl on the cover-member engageable with the ratchet-teeth on the extension member for holding the latter in different positions of adjustment in the base member, a hook-like detent-finger on the cover-member engageabie with the detent-flange on the extension member to latch the foldabie members in overlying nested relationship. said pawl and detent-flnger extending through the openings in the intermediate member when the members are folded together.

and manually-operable means for disengaging the pawl from the ratchet to permit the extension member to be partly withdrawn from the base member. t

, mannrucx a. nomciurs'r. 

